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Will a factory reset remove viruses? Performing a factory reset is an extreme step, but it can be one of the best solutions for total virus removal – though it’s important to understand what it will and won’t do for you and your device.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to get rid of viruses with a factory reset on a range of devices.
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What is a Factory Reset?
Deleting all your files and apps will generally succeed in stopping viruses, however deeply rooted they are in your system. It’s important to use reliable antivirus software before and after the reset, though, to ensure your system is clean.
Will a Factory Reset Remove Viruses?
If a virus has infected your device’s recovery partition system files, used to restore factory defaults, then it won’t be removed.
Equally, if you’ve inadvertently backed up infected files or if devices like keyboards or routers are infected, then you could be exposed to the threat as soon as you relaunch your system.
Using antivirus software is, hence, strongly recommended to ensure protection.
Steps to Consider Before a Factory Reset Virus Removal Strategy
Before doing a full factory reset of your device, it’s worth considering other measures you can take to see if the issue can be resolved without risking any of your data.
Download Antivirus Software
An important first step for security is having an antivirus in place on your device to protect you from viruses. This can help you identify and remove existing infections on your system.
TotalAV is one of the best options, given its high detection rates, usability, and wide range of features, but Norton is also a popular solution, while NordVPN provides web protection tools and a leading VPN but can’t scan your hard drive.
Remove Recently Installed Apps
If you suspect your device is infected, it’s wise to check up on new and potentially suspicious apps. Newly installed apps – particularly those from third-party app stores – could contain malicious software or be bundled with software you’re unaware of.
Use the task manager on your system to look at what programs are running and check for any that you don’t recognize or that are consuming a disproportionate amount of system resources.
Confirm what the app or program is intended for – to avoid stopping system processes – and stop and delete it if you remain suspicious.
Disinfect Any External Drives
It’s sensible to double-check all USBs and external storage devices for suspicious activity if they’re connected to your device.
If you plan to back up files, thoroughly scan them before running a system reset to prevent yourself from getting reinfected when you relaunch your system.
On a broader level, it’s sensible to be wary of connecting your device to unknown external drives, which can be an easy way for viruses to spread.
Scan Your Router
Don’t forget to check for malicious traffic traveling through your router. Scanning and blocking traffic from unknown IP addresses can help limit what can reach your network and devices.
Automated Backups
Norton provides automated backups to safely store your files in the cloud so they’re protected from hackers and ransomware. This is ideal for rolling your system back in the event of an emergency.
The drawback, though, is that you’ll need to secure your files before you have a problem – and once an issue has been identified and files have been infected, you’ll need to take a different path to resolve the issue.
How to Do a Factory Reset
We’ll now run through how to remove viruses with a factory reset. First, you’ll likely want to make sure all your data is backed up, either with an external hard drive or using cloud-based storage – and make sure to scan your files before you move them. Once your data is safe, you can proceed with a factory reset.
The process depends on your device. Our quick guide will start with how to get rid of viruses on your mobile device.
How to Factory Reset an Android Phone
There are two ways to factory reset an Android device – either via your device settings or the recovery mode.
- Go to “Settings,” then “System,” then “Advanced“
- Tap “Reset options“
- Select “Erase All Data“
- Confirm the factory reset to finalize the process – you may also get options on whether to preserve data at this stage
Recovery Mode
If you’re unable to get into your phone settings, you can complete a reset with recovery mode.
- Turn off the device
- Press and hold the power and volume up/down buttons while also holding the “Home” button on Samsung devices
- Use the volume buttons to select the wipe data or factory reset option and confirm your choice with the power button
- Allow the changes to run until the process is complete
See our best antivirus for Android guide for more security advice for Android devices.
How to Factory Reset an iPhone
The procedure is slightly different for factory resetting iPhones and will depend on whether you have access to your Apple ID – but as with Android, it remains the last resort for removing iOS malware.
- Open “Settings” and go to “General“
- Next, tap “Reset” and “Erase All Content and Settings“
- Confirm your choice by entering your password and then click “Erase iPhone” to complete the reset – noting that this may take a few minutes
How to Factory Reset an iPhone Without an Apple ID Password
If you’re not able to use your Apple ID, you’ll need to go to Recovery Mode to reset the device.
- Connect your iPhone to a computer and open iTunes
- Press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button, and then the side button to put your device into recovery mode
- Choose “Restore” and follow any additional instructions
- Finally, wait for the reset to complete before disconnecting your device from the computer
How to Factory Reset a Desktop Device
There are different approaches for resetting different desktop devices – here’s a step-by-step method for each operating system.
How to Factory Reset Windows 10 and 11
- Go to settings, then “System” (“Update & Security” in Windows 10), and click “Recovery“
- Under “Reset this PC,” you’ll find two options – “Keep my files” and “Remove everything“
- Follow the instructions to reset your PC
Check out our best antivirus for Windows guide for more Windows security recommendations if you’ve found using a factory reset to remove viruses from Windows 11 hasn’t been successful.
How to Factory Reset a Mac
macOS also comes with a reset option, which is labeled “Erase All Content and Settings.” To access it, follow these steps:
- From your home screen, open “System Settings” (“System Preferences” in versions before macOS Ventura)
- For macOS Ventura, select “General” and then “Transfer” or “Reset” and then “Erase All Content And Settings” (with macOS Monterey, you can choose this option from the “System Preferences” menu)
- Finally, confirm your choice by clicking “Erase Now” – noting that this step may take a few minutes
For more macOS security advice, see our guide to the best antiviruses for Mac.
How to Factory Reset a Chromebook
Chromebooks are relatively secure devices, but a factory reset may be useful if you’re concerned about an infection or want to pass the device on. Here are the steps to factory reset a Chromebook.
- Sign out on the device
- Hit Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R
- Click “Powerwash” on the pop-up box that appears and then “Continue” and follow the instructions that follow to completely reset your Chromebook
For Chromebook security software, check out our guide to the best antiviruses for Chromebook.
What to Do if a Virus Returns After a Hard Reset
Resetting your device to factory settings is an extreme step, but it won’t always address the issue if your recovery partition has been infected or you’re getting re-exposed to a virus when you connect to your router or restore files.
The first step is to check your security settings. If you’re using a PC, make sure your network and firewall settings are turned on, and if not, look for the option to reset the defaults.
Next, check your home network settings. Disconnect all peripheral devices and reset your router or modem. This minimizes the channels that malware can use to attack your device.
Antivirus software is the most effective way to get rid of viruses. There are lots of solutions available that can scan and remove malware and other threats. The top antivirus tools are able to remove 98% of malware, or more, and can help you ensure there are no infected files in your backups or in your system defaults.
If all this fails, you may want to seek professional assistance from cybersecurity experts to identify the issue. Norton notably has a Virus Protection Promise, guaranteeing you a full refund if it can’t remove a virus from your device.
Tips to Stop Your Device Getting Viruses
Prevention is better than cure for the health of your digital devices. Here are some tips for stopping viruses from getting onto your device.
- Get antivirus software. Being able to scan your system, quarantine threats, and block malicious websites and downloads is invaluable for ensuring your online safety, so make sure to get the best antivirus software.
- Keep your system and software up to date, ensuring you promptly install all firmware security patches.
- Don’t open suspicious emails or download files from unknown senders. Some of the most persistent computer viruses in history were spread by email, so it’s better not to take the risk.
- Only download apps from trusted sources like the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, and be wary of supposedly free apps from third parties.
- Don’t root or jailbreak your device. This will expose you to a wider range of security threats, so it’s best to stick to default settings to keep yourself safe.
- Don’t assume your device is safe. There’s the potential for every device with an internet connection to get infected, whether it’s a phone or an internet server.
Summary – Will A Factory Reset Remove A Virus?
Factory resetting your device is a fairly extreme measure and should generally only be considered as a last resort. Before doing this, run thorough antivirus scans to see if you can identify and remove threats from your system.
If all else fails, then factory resetting may be necessary – but it’s not guaranteed to completely erase all traces of malicious software.
Preventative measures such as using an antivirus and keeping your device up-to-date are recommended to protect you from future attacks and help you identify and address issues.
Having automatic backups in place can also be effective, allowing you to roll your system back in the event of a disaster. Ultimately, of course, prevention is always better than cure so it’s smart to take precautions.
